Auditory brainstem response of the Japanese house bat (Pipistrellus abramus)

Auditory brainstem responses (ABR) to high frequencies encompassing the species' vocal repertoire were recorded from the inferior colliculus of the Japanese house bat, Pipistrellus abramus. Amplitudes of tone pips were systematically decreased to obtain a threshold of response at different tone frequencies. The compiled audiogram has a broad U-shape over the frequency range from 4 to 80 kHz, with low thresholds between 20 and 50 kHz. The most sensitive frequency region of 35-50 kHz occurs at the quasi-constant-frequency terminal portion of the bat's downsweeping frequency-modulated echolocation pulses. Good sensitivity extending down to 20 kHz includes the frequency range of the first harmonic of communication sounds. The ABR audiogram does not show distinct, narrow peaks of greater sensitivity at the dominant frequencies in species vocalizations. Latencies of peaks in ABR responses lengthened as stimuli were attenuated. At 40 kHz, response latencies traded with amplitude by -7 to -9 μs/dB, a value smaller than measured in another frequency-modulated bat using lower frequencies for echolocation. These results have implications for understanding the significance of amplitude-latency trading in a comparative context.